Young Pioneer Tours
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Welcome to the Young Pioneer Tours Blog, the place where we we keep you informed about everything YPT, from current tours, to future tours and a whole lot of eclectic stuff in between.
YPT first started blogging in 2008 and are considered the best North Korean Travel blog that there is.
But, as Young Pioneer Tours have expanded our locations, so have we expanded our blog. Now we have one of the best travel blogs in the world!
And while most of our content is about the numerous destinations we go, including travel guides and what to pack, we also delve into more serious subjects such as the safety of certain destinations, as well as how LGTBQ+ friendly the places we visit are.
While the vast majority of our content is produced in-house, we are always on the look-out for guest bloggers and writers. Want to write for us? Then simply get in touch.
You can also check out our sister publication YPT Life.
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CONIFA World Cup 2020: Somaliland to host
17 May 2019 / by Gareth Johnson
CONIFA World Cup 2020 There’s an awful lot that excites the kids at Young Pioneer Tours, but two of our really really favourite things are unrecognised countries and football. When these two get combined, we simply lose our shit! It’s just been announc …
Who is the North Korean head of state?
16 May 2019 / by Gareth Johnson
Who is the North Korean head of state? When I was younger I had a political awakening: I remember asking my father about heads of state, in particular the Queen of England, whom I observed had no actual power. When I asked why a country needed one, my …
What is The Chollima Statue?
16 May 2019 / by Gareth Johnson
The Chollima 천리마동상 Statue is one of immense national and historical significance to the people of the DPRK. On Mansu Hill in central Pyongyang, you will find a 46 metre-tall monument depicting a horse dashing into battle. It certainly gives one feeling …
First tour group to use WiFi in Pyongyang
14 May 2019 / by Nicolas Platt
Yes, you read that right! WiFi in North Korea. One of Pyongyang’s fanciest hotels: the Pottonggang Hotel has recently installed WiFi in its lobby café. Naturally, we had to check it out on our recent 10-day May Day tour in Pyongyang. So how does it wor …
Harbin Ice Festival & Snow Sculpture Guide
14 May 2019 / by Rowan Beard
Whether you’re new to China or not, here is our quick guide to visiting Harbin during winter and exploring the Ice & Snow Sculpture Festival. What is the Harbin Ice Festival & Harbin Snow Sculpture Festival? Quite simply: the world’s largest an …
Manpo City Day Tour
13 May 2019 / by Nicolas Platt
Young Pioneer Tours is incredibly pleased to announce that we have returned from our YPT-exclusive inaugural trip to the newest North Korean border open to Western tourists: Manpo, North Korea! Located in Chagang Province and sitting directly opposite …
7 Great things named after President Kim Il-sung
13 May 2019 / by Gareth Johnson
Following the recent April 15th ‘Day of the Sun’ celebrations in North Korea, we’re going to take a look at some of the many other things named after DPRK founder Kim Il-sung. It’s estimated that there are over 480 things named after Kim Il-sung in ove …
Kim Il Sung Park – Damascus, Syria
13 May 2019 / by Gareth Johnson
For anyone who’s travelled to North Korea – or has more than a passing interest in all things DPRK – it’s no secret that a great many things are named after the founder of the DPRK, Kim Il-sung. Kim Il-sung Square and Kim Il-sung Stadium are just two e …
The Hyesan City Guide
13 May 2019 / by Gareth Johnson
Understand Hyesan is a city in North Korea’s Ryanggang Province that borders China’s Changbai Autonomous County. It has a population of almost 200,000 people. Getting into Hyesan From the Chinese side, the city is accessible via the Changbai-Hyesan Int …
